Ortofon 2M Bronze

Overview

The Ortofon 2M Bronze is a moving magnet phono cartridge that sits in the upper tier of Ortofon's celebrated 2M series, above the 2M Blue and below the 2M Black. It pairs a nude Fine Line diamond stylus with an aluminum cantilever, a combination that traces the record groove with precision and pulls fine detail and air out of your vinyl. With an output of roughly 5mV, it plugs into any standard moving magnet phono input, making it a straightforward upgrade for a wide range of systems.

Engineered with Split Pole Pins, the 2M Bronze delivers a flatter, more even frequency response across the audio band, a technology Ortofon shares with its higher 2M models. The nude Fine Line stylus offers a slim contact area for accurate high frequency retrieval and lower record wear compared to bonded elliptical designs. Ortofon, the Danish cartridge specialist founded in 1918, designed the 2M series in collaboration with industrial designer Moreno Pfeiffer, giving the cartridge its distinctive angular body that also aids installation and alignment.

The 2M Bronze is for the listener who has grown into a capable turntable and wants a meaningful step up in resolution, dynamics, and tonal refinement while staying in the convenient, forgiving world of moving magnet cartridges. It rewards a well set up tonearm and a quality phono stage without demanding the specialized moving coil input that Ortofon's MC lines require.

Key Features

• Nude Fine Line diamond stylus for precise groove tracing and fine detail retrieval
• Aluminum cantilever balancing rigidity and low mass
• Split Pole Pins for a flatter, more even frequency response
• Output of about 5mV works with any standard moving magnet phono input
• Recommended tracking force of about 1.5g for stable, low wear playback
• Upper tier of the 2M series, above the 2M Blue and below the 2M Black
• Distinctive 2M body design aids installation and alignment
• Compatible stylus upgrade path within the 2M range
• Designed and built by Ortofon, the Danish cartridge specialist founded in 1918

How the 2M Bronze Compares

Ortofon 2M Bronze vs Ortofon 2M Black

The 2M Black is the next step up in the 2M range and moves to a nude Shibata stylus for an even finer contact with the groove and greater high frequency resolution. The 2M Bronze, with its nude Fine Line stylus, offers a slightly more relaxed and forgiving presentation that pairs well with a broad set of arms and records. Choose the Bronze for refined, detailed playback at its level, or the Black when you want the last measure of resolution the 2M line can offer. See the Ortofon 2M Black.

Ortofon 2M Bronze vs Ortofon 2M Bronze Verso

The 2M Bronze Verso is electrically and sonically identical to the standard 2M Bronze but is reverse oriented for turntables and tonearms that require that fit. If your arm accepts the standard mounting, the regular 2M Bronze is the natural choice. Pick the Verso only when your setup specifically calls for the reversed orientation. See the Ortofon 2M Bronze Verso.

Ortofon 2M Bronze vs Ortofon 2M Bronze Premounted

The 2M Bronze Premounted is the same cartridge factory mounted and aligned on an Ortofon SH 4 headshell, ideal for turntables that use a removable headshell and for anyone who wants a ready to install package. The standard 2M Bronze suits fixed headshell arms or those who prefer to mount and align the cartridge themselves. Both deliver the same sonic character of the 2M Bronze. See the Ortofon 2M Bronze Premounted.

Ortofon 2M Bronze vs Audio Technica AT-VM750xSH

The AT-VM750xSH is another moving magnet cartridge and uses a Shibata stylus for its own take on detailed vinyl playback. The 2M Bronze, with its nude Fine Line stylus and Split Pole Pins, carries the tonal balance and design goals of the Ortofon 2M line. Both are strong choices for a capable turntable, so the decision comes down to the sonic character and installation preferences that best fit your system. See the Audio Technica AT-VM750xSH.

Recommended Turntable and Phono Stage

The 2M Bronze is a moving magnet cartridge, so it needs a turntable and tonearm suited to its level plus a phono stage with a moving magnet input. Here are catalog components that complement it well.

• Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB Turntable This fully manual belt drive turntable offers a solid plinth and a well behaved tonearm that suits the 2M Bronze's resolution and 7.2g weight, giving the cartridge a stable platform to perform.
• Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN Turntable A refined manual belt drive deck that pairs neatly with a mid tier moving magnet cartridge, letting the 2M Bronze show its detail and dynamics without overreaching your budget.
• Luxman E-250 Phono Preamplifier This dedicated phono stage provides a quiet, refined moving magnet input that lets the 2M Bronze's tonal nuance and low noise floor come through clearly.
• MoFi UltraPhono Pro Phono Preamplifier A versatile MM and MC phono preamplifier that connects easily to the 2M Bronze's moving magnet output and adds flexibility if you later explore other cartridges.
• Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amplifier If you want a single box solution, this integrated amplifier includes a moving magnet phono stage, so you can run the 2M Bronze directly into it and drive your speakers from one unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ortofon 2M Bronze a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge?
It is a moving magnet cartridge, so it works with any standard moving magnet phono input and does not require a special moving coil stage.

What stylus does the 2M Bronze use?
It uses a nude Fine Line diamond stylus mounted on an aluminum cantilever for precise groove tracing and detailed high frequency retrieval.

What is the recommended tracking force?
About 1.5g, within a recommended range of 1.4 to 1.7g.

What is the output voltage of the 2M Bronze?
Output is about 5mV, which is a standard level for moving magnet cartridges and suits any MM phono input.

Do I need a special phono stage for the 2M Bronze?
No, any standard moving magnet phono input will work, whether it is a dedicated phono preamplifier or a phono stage built into an integrated amplifier.

Where does the 2M Bronze sit in the 2M range?
It sits above the 2M Blue and below the 2M Black in Ortofon's 2M series.

What are Split Pole Pins?
Split Pole Pins are a design feature that helps deliver a flatter, more even frequency response across the audio band.

How much does the 2M Bronze weigh?
The cartridge weighs about 7.2g, which suits a wide range of tonearms.

Can I upgrade from a lower 2M cartridge to the 2M Bronze?
Yes, the 2M series shares a common body design, so moving up the range is straightforward within compatible models.

What is the difference between the 2M Bronze and the 2M Bronze Verso?
The Verso is electrically and sonically identical to the standard 2M Bronze but reverse oriented for turntables and arms that require that fit.

What is the 2M Bronze Premounted version?
It is the same cartridge factory mounted and aligned on an Ortofon SH 4 headshell, ready to install on turntables that use a removable headshell.

How does the 2M Bronze compare to the 2M Black?
The 2M Black steps up to a nude Shibata stylus for even greater resolution, while the 2M Bronze offers a slightly more relaxed and forgiving presentation with its nude Fine Line stylus.

Is the 2M Bronze suitable for mono records?
It is a stereo cartridge intended for standard stereo LPs. For mono records, Ortofon offers dedicated mono cartridges in its other ranges.

What turntable should I pair with the 2M Bronze?
A capable manual turntable with a well set up tonearm suits it well, such as the Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB or AT-LPW40WN from our catalog.

Can I use the 2M Bronze with an integrated amplifier?
Yes, as long as the integrated amplifier has a moving magnet phono input, such as the Yamaha A-S801 in our catalog.

Does the 2M Bronze come with mounting hardware?
Yes, it includes mounting screws and nuts, a stylus guard, a cleaning brush, and installation documentation.

Will replacing just the stylus upgrade my cartridge within the 2M line?
The 2M series is designed so styli can be interchanged within compatible models, allowing an upgrade path within the range. Refer to Ortofon's compatibility guidance for your specific model.

Who makes the 2M Bronze?
It is made by Ortofon, the Danish phono cartridge specialist founded in 1918 and one of the world's leading cartridge makers.

What warranty does the 2M Bronze carry?
It carries a one year parts and labor warranty from Ortofon for the original owner when purchased from an authorized dealer.

Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Ortofon dealer, so your 2M Bronze is genuine and backed by full manufacturer support. We offer expert guidance on pairing and setup and keep this cartridge in stock in MD.